Parental adverse childhood experience (ACE) exposures can negatively impact child development in multiple domains, including problem solving, communication, personal-social, and motor skills, a recent study found. A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 311 mother-child and 122 father-child dyads who attended a large pediatric primary care practice. Children were born from October 2012 to June 2014, and data were collected at the 2-, 4-, and 24-month well-child visits. Researchers found:

• For each additional maternal ACE, there was an 18% increase in the risk for a suspected developmental delay.
• A similar trend was observed for paternal ACEs.
• ≥3 maternal ACEs (vs <3 ACEs) was associated with a significantly increased risk for a suspected developmental delay that affected multiple domains.
• Similar effects were observed for early intervention services.